Changing Attitudes That Will Last A Lifetime
THE KIDS ON THE BLOCK NEW JERSEY INC.
OUR INSPIRING MISSION
The Kids on the Block New Jersey, Inc.'s mission is to provide ongoing education and prevention through the power of puppetry to children in grades K-4 throughout New Jersey. Our programs focus on acceptance and understanding of differences with regard to disability awareness, safety, medical conditions and social concerns.We empower children to learn, understand and
talk about important, timely and sometimes difficult issues while creating
positive change in attitudes among elementary school children.
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HISTORY OF
KIDS ON THE BLOCK
It all started in 1977, when ten year old Anthony, who had cerebral palsy was adjusting to his neighborhood elementary school. The practice of inclusion or mainstreaming as it was then called, was new for the school and Anthony was having trouble adapting. Academically, he was doing well, but he complained that the children in his class would not talk to him because he was different. In order to help him, Anthony’s special education teacher created a puppet she named “Mark Riley,” to educate the kids in the classroom about cerebral palsy. After that, many things changed for Anthony and The Kids on the Block was launched.
Since then, thousands of “Mark Rileys” and the more than fifty other available “Kids” have educated children worldwide in 30 countries! Our dedicated, enthusiastic educators perform in NJ communities about disability awareness, social issues and medical and educational differences. The Kids on the Block NJ Inc. serves all of New Jersey and performs for thousands of students throughout the school year.
WHAT WE DO
Creating unforgettable educational experiences
Viewing a Kids on the Block puppet performance is an unforgettable educational experience. The “kids” vividly and effectively model relationships between people, both with and without disabilities, by using frank and often humorous communication of facts and feelings between the puppet characters and the audience. This internationally-acclaimed presentations with life sized puppets perform a range of topics focusing on disability awareness, social issues and medical concerns.
SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Some Of Our Programs
Research studies attest to the effectiveness of The Kids on the Block programs. Studies have been conducted at universities, schools and in public health settings by professionals, educators and doctoral candidates. In these studies, the use of The Kids on the Block programs was found to be effective in creating positive change in attitudes among elementary school children.
Prevention
